Personal care apparatus assembly

ABSTRACT

Personal care apparatus is disclosed and basically is comprised of cleansing liquid and rinsing liquid reservoirs, a pair of pumps that deliver liquid from the reservoirs to a pair of valved liquid delivery lines, a source of low-pressure air suction, a suction hose connected to the source of low pressure air suction, and a hand-held applicator element that is co-operably connected to the suction hose and to the pair of valved liquid delivery lines. The hand-held applicator element has a contact surface adapted to contact human skin surfaces without causing injury.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] It is common practice in connection with the cleansing care ofthe skin of bed-ridden individuals in hospitals, nursing homes, assistedcare facilities, or home hospice care to provide either the patient orthe aide giving care to the patient with an open container of askin-cleansing liquid (e.g., warm water and soap or a mild detergent)and a clean washing cloth, followed by use of a rinsing medium (e.g.,plain warm water) and a drying cloth (e.g., hand or body towel). Suchpractice tends to be very messy because of the use of open liquidcontainers and the frequent consequential spillage of liquids on or nearthe patient.

[0002] Hair shampooing for such patients is currently accomplished asthe patient lies in a horizontal position with a shampoo trough undertheir head. Warm rinse water is poured over the patient's head and hairand into the trough which drains into a basin. After bathing skin andshampooing hair, the patient is usually given a massage administered byhand to improve circulation and to promote relaxation.

[0003] Other common methods of bathing, depending upon the patient'scondition, are tub baths, stand-up showers, and sit-down showers withshower chair.

[0004] The current methods of bathing skin and shampooing hair forpatients have numerous shortcomings, some of which are as follows:

[0005] 1. Liquid in basins is contaminated when the wash cloth is firstrinsed, therefore the patient is mostly washed with contaminated liquid.

[0006] 2. Wash cloths move bacteria and microorganisms from one locationto another on the surface of the skin and are not capable of extractingbacteria and deep cleansing the pores of the skin.

[0007] 3. Wash cloths and towels tend to rub and irritate sensitive skinparticularly that of elderly people.

[0008] 4. Open basins and wet cloths promote frequent spillage ofliquids on or near the patient causing unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

[0009] 5. Continued refilling of a wash basin is labor intensive andpromotes excessive water usage.

[0010] 6. Transporting patients to tubs and showers is exceedinglypainful in many cases and promotes injury from slips and falls.

[0011] The current process of bathing people in nursing care isantiquated, cumbersome, unsanitary, wasteful, labor intensive,time-consuming, and painful. Any patient or care giver could readilyexpand the list of shortcomings in current practice.

[0012] In order to overcome the many shortcomings of the prior practiceI have devised a novel personal care apparatus assembly that may beefficiently used to give a person requiring personal care assistance aliquid bath in a manner that virtually is “dry bathing”.

[0013] The apparatus of the current invention simultaneously performsdeep cleansing, therapeutic massaging, and skin drying, with liquid ormist, and is capable of traversing wounds, dressings, casts, burns,intravenous equipment, and the irregular shape of a human body withoutliquid spillage. In addition, the current apparatus is convenientlymoved to the location of the patient thus eliminating the pain, risk,and cost of transporting the patient.

[0014] Further, the current invention always provides fresh liquid tothe patient's skin therefore improving sanitation for the patient andthe care giver. Lastly, the invention apparatus has an adjustablesuction for deep cleansing bacteria from sensitive skin withoutirritation, for rinsing hair of a patient oriented in any position, andfor improving circulation of blood near the surface of the skin thusgiving the patient therapeutic renewal, relaxation, and a sense ofwell-being.

[0015] Other objectives and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent during consideration of the descriptions, drawings, andclaims and which follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The personal care apparatus of the present invention is basicallycomprised of a cleansing liquid reservoir having a liquid delivery pump,a rinsing liquid reservoir having a liquid delivery pump, a source oflow-pressure air suction, a pair of valved liquid delivery lines thateach are connected to a different one of the liquid reservoir deliverypumps, a suction hose connected to the source of low pressure airsuction, and a hand-held applicator element that is co-operablyconnected to the suction hose and to the pair of valved liquid deliverylines. The hand-held applicator element has a human body skin contactsurface adapted to contact a person's body surface and deliver fluidsfrom the liquid delivery lines without causing personal injury, and thepair of liquid delivery lines are routed from the delivery pumps to thehuman body contact surface of the hand-held applicator element throughthe suction hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a general view of a patient receiving cleansing carethrough use of an apparatus assembly incorporating the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention hand-held applicator element;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a top view of the applicator element of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a section view taken at line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a head portion of the hand-heldapplicator element of FIGS. 2 through 4;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of thehead portion of the invention hand-held applicator element;

[0023]FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view taken at line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 8 illustrates an apparatus arrangement whereby a single fluidnozzle rather than a pair of fluid nozzles may be utilized toalternately deliver liquids from the apparatus cleansing and rinsingliquid delivery lines;

[0025]FIG. 9 depicts the flow pattern of cleansing and rinsing liquidand suction air when the end opening of the hand-held applicator head ofFIG. 8 remains uncovered; and

[0026]FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating the liquidflow and suction air flow when the hand-held applicator end opening ispartially covered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027]FIG. 1 of the drawings is a general view of a bed-ridden patient Preceiving personal care by a nursing aide N such care involvingutilization of a preferred embodiment of the personal care assembly 10of the present invention. Assembly 10 is principally comprised of a pairof liquid reservoirs 12 and 14, each having a centrifugal pump 16 thatis connected to the reservoir's bottom outlet and to a respective one oftubular liquid delivery lines 18 and 20. Preferably one reservoircontains water and the other contains some type of cleaning agent. Pumps16 may also be vane pumps or any other suitable liquid displacementdevices. Assembly 10 also has an electrically powered vacuum source 22that internally has a centrifugal air-liquid separator and a wasteliquid reservoir with waste water pump 23, and a flexible suction hose24 that is operably connected to vacuum source 22 and that internallycontains much of the lengths of valved delivery lines 18 and 20. Theapparatus assembly is housed within and transported by mobile cart 26,and the nursing aide utilizes a hand-held applicator element 28 that isfunctionally connected to both the vacuum (low air pressure) environmentof suction hose 24 and liquid delivery lines 18 and 20. Liquid deliverylines 18 and 20 preferably pass within suction hose 24.

[0028]FIGS. 2 through 5 pertain to a preferred embodiment of thehand-held applicator element 28 of assembly 10. Such hand-heldapplicator element includes a removable applicator head 30 and isessentially a continuation of flexible suction hose 24. The hand-heldapplicator element 28 also includes conventional spring-biased pinchvalves 32 and 34 that are contained within valve housing 36 and thatco-operate with liquid lines 18 and 20, respectively, to control fluidflow therethrough. As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the liquiddelivery lines 18 and 20 extend downstream of pinch valves 32 and 34,pass through the wall of hand-held applicator element 28 and enterapplicator head 30. Of course liquid delivery lines 18 and 20 could alsoremain inside of element 28 and thereafter enter applicator head 30.

[0029] A shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, applicator head 30includes a series of suction slots 38 positioned in the undersidecurved, human body, contact surface 39 of the invention removableapplicator head element 30. Fluid discharge ports 40 and 42 at thedischarge end of fluid lines 18 and 20, also are mounted withinapplicator head element 30 adjacent contact surface 39. It should benoted that fluid discharge ports 40 and 42 preferably do not extendoutwardly of element 30 into alignment with body contact surface 39, butare recessed a distance therefrom as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. InFIG. 7 a partially-sectioned partial view of the applicator head elementof FIG. 5 is utilized to illustrate the fact that liquid delivery lines18 and 20 preferably are made adjustable in position longitudinally by aconventional threaded adjustment feature (see FIG. 4) so that thedistance D from the discharge port of each liquid delivery line to thenearest curvilinear skin contact surface portion of hand-held applicatorhead 30 may be varied to be in the inward range of from {fraction(1/16)} inch to ¼ inch (usually ⅛ inch) when cleansing human body skin.It has been discovered that by adjusting this distance and by adjustingsuction air pressure in applicator head 30, the liquid output from ports40 and 42 may be a stream of liquid (reduced distance and reducedsuction) or a mist of liquid (increased distance and increased suction).(See FIGS. 9 and 10). Combinations of these adjustments provide variousunique stream and mist skin massaging swirls which massage the irregularunder surface f (See FIG. 10) of a patient's body while at the same timepreventing liquid and mist from spilling beyond patient under surface fand contact surface 39 of applicator head 30. Removable applicator headelement 30 also includes rotatable valve discs 44 whose openings 46 maybe rotated into various registration alignments with interior by-passholes 48 to vary the magnitude of the suction pressure at suction slots38—the more openings in registration, the lower the slot suctionpressure. The FIG. 6 embodiment illustrates the same rotatable valvedisc 44 having openings 46 which may be aligned with interior by-passholes 48 to adjust suction pressure in an applicator head 50. It shouldbe noted that the principal components of hand-held applicator element28 are preferably fabricated of a polymerized polyvinyl chloride resinor its equivalent.

[0030]FIG. 6 also illustrates a form of applicator head 50 that may besubstituted for applicator head element 30 and that is particularlyuseful for cleansing (shampooing) the hair of a bed-ridden patient.Basically, in embodiment 50 an open-ended, relatively large-diameter,section 52 of a flexible hollow tubing (containing one or both liquidlines 18 and 20 and their respective discharge ports 40 and 42) having aring-shampoo body contact surface 39 is substituted for the suctionslots 38 in the curved underside of the human body contact surface ofapplicator head 30. It should be noted that discharge ports 40 and 42terminate within section 52 adjacent surface 39, such that they arespaced a distance from body contact surface 39 which may be as much as5½ inches.

[0031]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate embodiment 60 of the hand-heldapplicator head of FIG. 6. Such illustrates the fact that it may beadvantageous to have a single liquid delivery line 62 with liquiddischarge port 64 being fed by liquids from liquid delivery lines 18 and20. Such is accomplished basically by the inclusion of a “Y” fitting 66positioned in the system as shown. Also, embodiment 60 includes amechanism whereby rotation of a soft hollow cap 70 relative to tubularsection 52 causes discharge port 64 to be adjacent and variablypositioned a distance D in the range inwardly from {fraction (1/16)}inch to 5½ inch from the end plane of the removable soft hollow cap 70affixed to the end of the hand-held applicator hollow tube. The shorterdistance in the range is used when the hand-held applicator is incontact with a body surface; the larger distance in the range issuitable for hair shampooing and the like.

[0032] In FIGS. 9 and 10 I schematically illustrate two of the separateflow patterns of liquid and air which occur at the skin contact surface39 of the head of the invention hand-held applicator element. In theFIG. 9 case where the end opening at skin contact surface 39 remainscompletely uncovered the air flow X into the head completely draws theliquid Y from discharge ports 40 and 42 (or 64) into the airstreambefore the liquid reaches the skin contact surface 39 of the hand-heldapplicator element. In the FIG. 10 case, however, where the end openingis partially covered by a portion f of the body of the patient P theflows of liquid and air are modified in a manner whereby a combinedliquid and liquid mist Y reaches the under surface of the human bodyelement P, while at the same time the modified suction air pressure (dueto the patient's body P restricting air from entering) within tubingsection 52 draws air inwardly from around the sides of human bodyelement P to prevent liquid and liquid mist from reaching these regions.In other words, liquid and liquid mist reach only under surface f ofbody element P but does not flow outwardly of body contact surface 39 orof body element P. Again, the distance D varies in the range of{fraction (1/16)} inch to 5½ inches and suction pressure is adjustablein magnitude depending on the intended use of the apparatus and thedesired stream and mist swirl massage effect. In the embodiment of FIGS.9 and 10 it may be observed that liquid delivery lines 18 and 20 aremounted in a tube 54 which overlies and slides with respect to hollowtube section 52. Sliding tube section 54 relative to tube 52 changes thedistance D between ports 40 and 42, and surface 39.

[0033] Actual testing of the invention apparatus indicates that apatient of average size is thoroughly cleansed and massaged in 12minutes (excluding face, hair, and perineal areas) with total liquidusage being 12 ounces (1½ cups) of water.

[0034] The present invention tested well for shampooing and rinsinghair. However, the face and perineal areas of a patient should becleansed with a cloth. The machine aids in the process of providing thecare-giver with fresh cleansing and rinsing liquid and eliminates theneed for a basin. No empirical data is found which compares wet washcloth cleansing with the suction and swirling mist of the presentinvention. However, visual tests of cleansing black pepper and mustardfrom the skin were performed. Such testing indicated that wet washcloths “load up” and transfer the pepper and mustard from one area toanother whereas the present invention deep suctions and removesparticles from the skin. The present invention proved to be faster andcleaner for cleansing pepper and mustard from the skin than a wetwashing cloth.

[0035] The present invention was also tested to obtain informationconcerning its massage comfort level. The three human subjects used inthis testing were each given a head, neck, shoulder, back, and armmassage. Each stated that he/she had obtained an excellent level ofrelaxation and renewal.

[0036] Various changes may be made to the size, shape, proportioning,and materials of construction of the disclosed invention withoutdeparting from scope, meaning, or intent of the claims which follow.

I claim as my invention:
 1. Personal care apparatus comprising of: atleast one cleansing liquid reservoir having a liquid delivery pump; asource of low-pressure air suction; a valved liquid delivery line havingan outlet port and connected to said cleansing liquid reservoir liquiddelivery pump; a suction hose connected to said source of low-pressureair suction; and a hand-held applicator element that is co-operablyconnected to said suction hose and to said valved liquid delivery line,said hand-held applicator element having a body contact surface adaptedto contact and move over human skin without causing injury, said liquiddelivery line being routed from said delivery pump to said hand-heldapplicator element, and said fluid outlet port is positioned adjacent tosaid body contact surface of said hand-held applicator element.
 2. Theinvention defined by claim 1, and wherein said hand-held applicatorelement body contact surface has a suction inlet, said liquid deliveryline outlet port being positioned within and surrounded by saidhand-held applicator element body contact surface suction inlet.
 3. Theinvention defined by claim 2, and wherein said liquid delivery lineoutlet port is positioned inwardly from the plane of said hand-heldapplicator element body contact surface suction inlet.
 4. The inventiondefined by claim 2, and wherein said hand-held applicator elementfurther comprises an adjustment means for adjusting the distance betweensaid liquid delivery line outlet port and said body contact surface. 5.The invention defined by claim 4, and wherein said liquid delivery lineoutlet port is adjustably positioned throughout a range of {fraction(1/16)} inch to 5½ inches.
 6. The invention defined by claim 1, andwherein said hand-held applicator element body contact surface has theform of a curvilinear surface having spaced-apart linear slots some ofwhich are aligned with said fluid outlet port to deliver liquid fromsaid liquid delivery line to the surface of a human body and the othersof which remove liquid from the surface of a human body.
 7. Theinvention defined by claim 1, and wherein said hand-held applicatorelement body contact surface has the form of the open end of a flexibletube, said flexible tube open end defining a suction inlet, and saidliquid delivery line outlet port being positioned within said tube. 8.The invention defined by claim 7, and wherein said liquid delivery lineoutlet port is positioned inwardly from the plane of said hand-heldapplicator element body contact surface suction inlet.
 9. The inventiondefined by claim 8, and wherein said hand-held applicator elementfurther comprises an adjustment means for adjusting the distance betweensaid liquid delivery line outlet port and said body contact surface. 10.The invention defined by claim 1, and wherein said hand-held applicatorelement body contact surface has the form of the open end of a rigidtube covered by a soft hollow end cap.
 11. The invention defined byclaim 10, wherein said soft hollow cap defines a body contact surfacesuction inlet, and wherein said liquid delivery line outlet port ispositioned within said rigid tube and inwardly from the plane of saidhand-held applicator element body contact surface suction inlet.
 12. Theinvention defined by claim 11, and wherein said hand-held applicatorelement further comprises an adjustment means for adjusting the distancebetween said liquid delivery line outlet port and said body contactsurface.
 13. The invention defined by claim 1, and wherein saidhand-held applicator element body contact surface has the form of theopen end of a rigid tube, said rigid tube open end defines a bodycontact surface suction inlet and wherein said liquid delivery lineoutlet port is positioned within said rigid tube and inwardly from theplane of said hand-held applicator element body contact surface suctioninlet.
 14. The invention defined by claim 13, further comprising asecond tube concentric with and axially movable with respect to saidrigid tube, and wherein axial movement of one of said rigid tube or saidsecond tube causes the distance between said liquid delivery line outletport and said handheld applicator element body contact surface suctioninlet to change.
 15. The invention defined by claim 14 furthercomprising an air suction adjustment means for adjusting air suctionpressure.
 16. The invention defined by claim 15 wherein said air suctionadjustment means is positioned in said hand-held applicator element. 17.The invention defined by claim 1 further comprising an air suctionadjustment means for adjusting air suction pressure.
 18. The inventiondefined by claim 2 further comprising an air suction adjustment meansfor adjusting air suction pressure.
 19. The invention defined by claim 4further comprising an air suction adjustment means for adjusting airsuction pressure.
 20. The invention defined by claim 6 furthercomprising an air suction adjustment means for adjusting air suctionpressure.
 21. The invention defined by claim 7 further comprising an airsuction adjustment means for adjusting air suction pressure.
 22. Theinvention defined by claim 10 further comprising an air suctionadjustment means for adjusting air suction pressure.
 23. The inventiondefined by claim 13 further comprising an air suction adjustment meansfor adjusting air suction pressure.
 24. Personal care apparatuscomprised of: a pair of cleansing liquid reservoirs each having a liquiddelivery pump; a source of low-pressure air suction; a first and secondvalved liquid delivery lines each having an outlet port and eachconnected to one of said pair of cleansing liquid reservoirs, a suctionhose connected to said source of low-pressure suction; and a hand-heldapplicator element that is co-operatively connected to said suction hoseand to said first and second valved liquid delivery lines, saidhand-held applicator element having a body contact surface adapted tocontact and more over human skin without causing injury, said first andsecond liquid delivery lines being routed from said delivery pumps tosaid hand-held applicator element, and said outlet ports positionedadjacent to said body contact surface of said hand-held applicatorelement.
 25. The invention defined by claim 24, and wherein saidhand-held applicator element body contact surface has a suction inlet,said first and second liquid delivery line outlet ports being positionedwithin and surrounded by said hand-held applicator element body contactsurface suction inlet.
 26. The invention defined by claim 25, andwherein said first and second liquid delivery line outlet ports arepositioned inwardly from the plane of said hand-held applicator elementbody contact surface suction inlet.
 27. The invention defined by claim26, and wherein said hand-held applicator element further comprises anadjustment means for adjusting the distance between said liquid deliveryline outlet ports and said body contact surface.
 28. The inventiondefined by claim 24 further comprising an air suction adjustment meansfor adjusting air suction pressure.
 29. The invention defined by claim25 further comprising an air suction adjustment means for adjusting airsuction pressure.
 30. The invention defined by claim 26 furthercomprising an air suction adjustment means for adjusting air suctionpressure.
 31. Personal care apparatus comprising: at least one cleansingliquid reservoir having a liquid delivery pump; a source of low-pressureair suction; a valved liquid delivery line having an outlet port andconnected to said cleansing liquid reservoir liquid delivery pump; asuction hose connected to said source of low pressure air suction; and ahand-held applicator element that has a human body contact surface andthat is co-operably connected to said suction hose and to said valvedliquid delivery line, said air pressure suction source, liquid deliverypump, and the distance from said liquid delivery line outlet port tosaid body contact surface are in a co-operative relationship such thatan object adjacent to said hand-held applicator element human bodycontact surface controls the dispensing of liquid having a stream ormist form from said hand-held applicator element human body contactsurface.
 32. An apparatus for cleansing and massaging a human body withliquid in stream or mist form, and comprising: at least one cleansingliquid reservoir having a liquid delivery pump; a source of low-pressureair suction; air suction adjusting means; and at least one valved liquiddelivery line that has an outlet port and that is connected to each ofsaid liquid reservoir liquid delivery pumps; a suction hose connected tosaid source of low pressure air suction; and a hand-held applicatorelement that has a human body contact surface and that is co-operablyconnected to said suction hose and to said valved liquid delivery linesand distance adjusting means which varies distance from said outlet portto said human body contact surface.
 33. An applicator head for apersonal care apparatus which dispenses a stream or mist of liquid thatcleanses and massages a human body, and comprising of a structure havingat least one hollow portion therein, a human body contact surface, aliquid dispensing outlet positioned within said structure hollowportion, and a portion adapted to removably connect to a source of airpressure and a source of liquid dispensing.